make some sort of selection. But the strongest-minded are,
perhaps, those who are able to forgo themselves and their
own fancies, and to refrain from any alliance that does
not tend to the maintenance of high principles. Of course,
I speak of those who have blood in their veins. You and I
need not dilate as to the conduct of others.

I hope what I have said will convince you. Indeed, I know
that it only requires that you and I should have a little
cousinly talk on this matter to be quite in accord. You
must now remain at Greshamsbury till Mr Gazebee shall
return. Immediately that he does so, seek an interview
with him; do not wait till he asks for it; then tell him,
that when he addressed you, the matter had taken you so
much by surprise, that you were not at the moment able to
answer him with that decision that the subject demanded.
Tell him, that you are flattered--in saying this, however,
you must keep a collected countenance, and be very cold
in your manner--but that family reasons would forbid you
to avail yourself of his offer, even did no other cause
prevent it.

And then, dear Augusta, come to us here. I know you
will be a little down-hearted after going through this
struggle; but I will endeavour to inspirit you. When we
are both together, you will feel more sensibly the value
of that high position which you will preserve by rejecting
Mr Gazebee, and will regret less acutely whatever you may
lose.

Your very affectionate cousin,

AMELIA DE COURCY.

P.S.--I am greatly grieved about Frank; but I have long
feared that he would do some very silly thing. I have
heard lately that Miss Mary Thorne is not even the
legitimate niece of your Dr Thorne, but is the daughter
of some poor creature who was seduced by the doctor, in
Barchester. I do not know how true this may be, but I
think your brother should be put on his guard: it might do
good.

Poor Augusta! She was in truth to be pitied, for her efforts were
made with the intention of doing right according to her lights. For
Mr Moffat she had never cared a straw; and when, therefore, she lost
the piece of gilding for which she had been instructed by her mother
to sell herself, it was impossible to pity her. But Mr Gazebee she
would have loved with that sort of love which it was in her power
to bestow. With him she would have been happy, respectable,